ABSTRACT
Benchmarking is setting goals and measuring productivity based on best industry practices. It helps improve performance by learning from best practices. In this study, parameters considered in the analysis are given first with some examples as: the geology, the residential areas on the surface, method of construction, machine type in mechanized tunneling, machine (TBM), utilization time, and machine availability, and management of tunneling operations with the number of workers per shift. A rock classification for benchmarking is also given in the paper. Typical examples for benchmarking for drill and blast and mechanized tunnelling are also given for comparative issues. We hope that in future this study will aid the engineers for the rational planning of tunneling projects.
